Winter storage.......
Discussion
Now I've got a garage big enough, I was toying with the idea of taking the R8 off the road for winter (depending on the forecast) and buying a runabout to get to work. I know a few owners do this on here, so what advice would you offer - is it just a case of locking it away come first snowfall then drag it back out in spring or are there a few DO's and DON'Ts. Cheers in advance... 
Stuck my VXR Ro in storage at first, waste of time they ripped me off (never did the rolling road etc)took it off them and just drove it and stuck a cover on most evenings. Never used in salt etc but I live down South. just going to buy a decent cover and use on those weekends in winter when nice. To be honest I missed the car to much when in storage, think the car preferred being driven as well.
I used to put my Corvette Z06 away during winter. All I did was put rubber matting down so the tyres were not sat on concrete and I put silica gel packs in the car and put a cover over it but that was only because I had one for it and that was it.
I then just put a battery charger on it a week before it was going back on the road never had any issues
I then just put a battery charger on it a week before it was going back on the road never had any issues
Ours sits outside in all weathers. It's always plugged in to a battery conditioner, and it can be pressed into action at any time.
There's no hard and fast rule really. Some say pump the tyres up - but that can cause tyre cracking, others say lift it off the wheels if you can.
If you're leaving it road legal, just take it out when the weather is good, to circulate fluids and stop the tyres getting a flat spot.
There's no hard and fast rule really. Some say pump the tyres up - but that can cause tyre cracking, others say lift it off the wheels if you can.
If you're leaving it road legal, just take it out when the weather is good, to circulate fluids and stop the tyres getting a flat spot.
I'm lucky I have the benefit of a garage but I don't agree with a car not being driven as I don't think it's good for them I pick my days I drive them and have a pair of trickle chargers , I had a senator before if it was not driven it would have an engine light on or abs light and that was garage stored , car covers seem to keep sap off but moisture in even when they are breathable
Daily drove my Ro for two years, however as I now have another car and a decent sized garage it gets taken off the road each winter.
Fill tank with fuel
Park in garage
Leave handbrake off and put a couple of bricks infront of rear wheels
Vacuum cabin
Leave window open a crack
Attach trickle charger
Lock car
Some people recommend changing the oil and filter before you put it away but the car has only done 1k miles since its last service so I didn't bother.
Fill tank with fuel
Park in garage
Leave handbrake off and put a couple of bricks infront of rear wheels
Vacuum cabin
Leave window open a crack
Attach trickle charger
Lock car
Some people recommend changing the oil and filter before you put it away but the car has only done 1k miles since its last service so I didn't bother.
Just stick some winter tyres on it and drive it. The difference is night and day. You'll find that you get around in snow much easier than everyone else on regular summer tyres. The cost of the winter tyres is largely off-set by the fact that you're not putting any wear on your summer tyres. The winter tyres will probably last you two or three winters.
pah250 said:
Just stick some winter tyres on it and drive it. The difference is night and day. You'll find that you get around in snow much easier than everyone else on regular summer tyres. The cost of the winter tyres is largely off-set by the fact that you're not putting any wear on your summer tyres. The winter tyres will probably last you two or three winters.
Did that, and then we had our mildest, wettest winter for donkeys years (average temps 10+ deg so above winters optimum 7 deg). Having said that, the tyres were awesome at water clearance and aquaplane prevention. Remember driving down the motorway with massive rooster tails of spray behind which was quite amusing.I've put my CV8 off the road every year since buying it 7 years ago and just pumped the tyres up and connect a trickle charger. No problems experienced. Just remember to deflate the tyres again in spring, as the first time I forgot and it was like driving on ice! Would love to use the car all year round, but I live in sunny Scotland, up a hill, where the gritters rarely venture!
One golden rule is don't wash your car and then park up in the garage. The suds will congregate around your sills. You will be amazed how many garage queens end up rotten.
Other advice by posters is good. Pump up tyres, leave hand break off and fit a trickle charger.
On a personal note I bought my 5.7 vxr monaro to use every day. Bought a second set of 19" rims and have Vredstein winters. Last years winter was very mild, but on the couple of nasty days I could drive around anything else on the road.
Other advice by posters is good. Pump up tyres, leave hand break off and fit a trickle charger.
On a personal note I bought my 5.7 vxr monaro to use every day. Bought a second set of 19" rims and have Vredstein winters. Last years winter was very mild, but on the couple of nasty days I could drive around anything else on the road.
davegreg said:
Cheers for the replies guys, might just use it this winter actually then get a runaround next year once the R8 is paid for and i have a bit more spare cash.
I suggest getting some winter tyres in that case or having the number of a local hire car firm if it turns nasty
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